Wilmette Cop Gets Probation For Stealing Cash From DUI Suspect

According to CBS Chicago, a north suburban police officer was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to theft for ordering a DUI suspect to pay an unnecessary cash bond.

Officer Diane Grassi pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 to misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to two years’ probation Tuesday, according to court documents.

On Sept. 29, 2010, Grassi arrested a man for DUI and took him to the Wilmette police station for processing, according to prosecutors. While booking him, she told the man he must pay a cash bond to secure his release.

The man said he wanted to spend the night in jail and use his money to get his car out of impound, but Grassi ordered him to give her the money, which he did, according to prosecutors.

The man’s attorney later noticed he’d been released on an individual recognizance bond, which requires no cash. The victim reported the incident to Wilmette police, who contacted the state’s attorney’s office.